Rep. James White, R-Albuquerque, has just offered an amendment to make permanent the 1.5 percent increased contribution the state is asking state workers and public teachers to make. That differs from the underlying bill, which asks that the 1.5 percent increased contribution rate last for only two years.

“This is to help balance the budget,” White said.

But Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, is challenging White on why he would want to make the 1.5 percent increased rate permanent.